Debate Foams Over Australian Brewery`s Papal Visit Role

October 5, 1986|United Press International

SYDNEY, Australia -- A debate is raging over plans for a brewery to sponsor Pope John Paul II`s visit next month, throw a beer party after a huge mass and issue ``special edition`` beer cans bearing the pontiff`s picture.

``They (Catholic Church leaders) are selling their souls to the big companies and they don`t care where they get their money from,`` said Charles Perkins, secretary of the federal Aboriginal Affairs Department.

Organizers of the pope`s tour to Australia in November announced on Monday that the country`s largest independent brewer, the South Australian Brewing Holdings Group Ltd., would be a major sponsor of the visit.

The brewery`s public relations manager, Mike O`Reilly, said the sponsorship agreement also calls for the company to issue ``special edition`` beer cans with the Pope`s photo to commemorate the visit. South Australian Brewing Holdings Ltd. produces West End beer and Seppelts wines.